Palmerton Area High School's auditorium was packed with hundreds of friends, family and colleagues of Eugene "Geno" Roberts Jr., all there to honor the life of the beloved coach and community legend who died Nov. 23 at the age of 63.

The essential mascot of Palmerton, Roberts' career included positions for the former New Jersey Zinc Co. of Palmerton, and Mallinckrodt of Allentown.However, his heart was rooted in the borough and the basketball, football and baseball teams he headed over the years.Roberts coached local kids all the way from the booster club level up to varsity for over 38 years, enriching countless lives.A football-shaped collage, along with a table filled to the brim with Bombers shirts, news clippings, and team photos adorned the front of the room, highlighting the rich life of a Palmerton pinnacle."I'm uplifted by imagining Geno looking down on us today, maybe a little bit embarrassed by all the fuss we've gone to, but knowing, beyond any doubt, that we, all of Palmerton, loved him as much as he loved us," funeral director Richard Taylor said at the start of the ceremony.Maria Martinez and Lydia Anthony played a simple rendition of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," a touching tribute to Roberts."I've been blessed by receiving some honors in the past, but being asked to talk about our friend Geno is the greatest of them all," Palmerton Councilman Richard Nothstein said.Nothstein said, "Geno will always be considered a pillar of our community, he gave so much and asked for so little."Nothstein asked the crowd to stand up, greet their neighbor, ask how they were doing, and then shake their hand and tell them to have a nice day, in the spirit of Roberts' friendly nature.Honoring GenoRoberts' coaching staff presented his wife Cindy with a "33" football jersey, Geno's number, signed by the coaches and the 130-pound players.Donald Hunter told a cheeky story about a trip to a double-header baseball game together that got them in a bit of trouble with Roberts' wife, Cindy.Hunter advised the league of children that Roberts had coached over the years, "You know how we really honor Geno? We do what he did. When you hang the spikes up, kids, when the basketball stops being dribbled by you, put something back. Do what Geno did. Reach out to the community."The 130-pound football team, along with Roberts' nephew Cole Serfass, presented a special plaque to Cindy Roberts in honor of her husband."On behalf of the 130-pound football team, we would like to present this plaque in loving memory of our coach, Geno Roberts," Serfass said. "We are honored to be the last team he took the field with. We hope we made you proud. Fly high, number 33."Roberts' granddaughter Lauren Fegley sang Faith Hill's "There You'll Be" song for her grandfather."This song is about someone's hero. And while I originally sang it for my mom, because she is one of them, no one can deny that Geno, my Pop, was one of the biggest heroes in my life, and I will really miss him," Fegley said.BrothersDarren and Jenn Roberts spoke on behalf of their father, Geno's twin Darryl. Jenn read a poem that expressed the connection felt between the two brothers."You will forever be my brother, and forever my best friend," Jenn read.Darren, reading a letter from his father, elicited some much needed laughter from the crowd as he conveyed the stories of the pair."Win or lose, he used to call every night at 11 o'clock sharp," Darren read from Darryl's letter. "He would always say, 'We are getting better, don't count us out.' I miss his phone calls. I would say to him, 'Geno, why don't you try it this way?' He would always say to me, 'I'll give that a try,' whether it would be a new play, a different defense or offense. But come Sunday, it was always Geno's way."Christina Roberts spoke next on behalf of her husband, Geno's son Steven. She told of a father who, regardless of a lengthy work day, would always be ready to practice with his son, no matter what. A father who would never miss his children's games, always there to cheer them on, even after his amputations. A father that was endlessly loving and proud of his grandchildren, no matter what.Christina read of a time on Geno's birthday when Steven brought him to a tattoo parlor. Geno had no idea what was happening, but was struck with emotion when Steven's tattoo was finished."When I was finished and all washed up, I proudly raised my sleeve and showed him my Superman tattoo, with a banner wrapping around it, stating 'The true Man of Steel, my Dad,'" she read. "The smile that I got, year after year of him telling people and making me show them constantly."Ryan Roberts, Geno's son, thanked people for their support. "You were a source of inspiration for him, he absolutely loved you and would do anything for you," Ryan said to the Bombers in attendance.Roberts concluded the speech with a list of life-lessons that defined his father."Lessons that I learned watching him, and I think we can all do these - smile more, hold the door open, use 'Mr.' and 'Mrs.' And 'please' and 'thank you,' volunteer, coach, see the best in others, forgive, give 110 percent, tell a great story, and above all else, be kind," he said.